Label Review. 

2013 album. Francisco Yglesia is arguably the world’s most accomplished player of the Paraguayan Harp. Playing for over six decades, including a decade with the legendary Alberto y Los Trios Paraguayos, Francisco has also composed many tunes that are now highly celebrated in the canon of Paraguayan ‘folklore’ music.

Our Overview. 

This is Francisco’s most recent album, recorded in 2009. All the tracks were recorded live, solo, in a single take, and in pin-sharp high fidelity. It is the only album to showcase Francisco without any backing musicians whatsoever. The album features all of Francisco’s hits and favourites. It is a mixture of traditional Paraguayan and other Latin pieces (including his signature "Pajaro Campana"), plus several of his own striking compositions (not least the often-covered "Vamos Amigos"). Also included is a mesmerising acoustic re-recording of "Shimmering Harp" from his debut 1982 album of the same name, and (perhaps curiously, but brilliantly) a rearrangement of Passion Pit’s contemporary and evocative "Sleepyhead".

'Este es Francisco Yglesia Maestro del Arpa Paraguaya' reunites Francisco with Richard Scott, the Strawberry Studios engineer who recorded his first album 'Shimmering Harp' 30 years earlier. The recording location was St Thomas’s Church in Stockport, just round the corner from where Strawberry stood until the late 1990s. The tune "Pajaro Campana" was a theme tune for Sir David Attenborough’s early TV show ‘Zoo Quest”. The recording from this album was selected by him for Radio 4’s 70th anniversary edition of Desert Island Discs.

Tracklisting: Pajaro Campana (Bell Bird) / Misionera / Shimmering Harp / Naduti (Spider's Web) / Carreta City (Under The Oxcart) / Espejos (Mirrors) / El Tren Lechero (Milk Train) / Isla Saca / Colorado / Cascada / Sleepyhead / Vamos Amigos.

2017 album

The third Argonaut album was recorded live over two days at Bally Studios by London's answer to Steve Albini - Dotan Cohen, The Sound Mechanic. We recorded brand new songs and definitive versions of some live favourites. The aim was to capture Argonaut Forever at our most honest, energetic and exciting, with minimal overdubs and manipulation. We are so pleased with the result and feel that it captures the perfect Argonaut sound forever! Sticking to our guns - and possibly shooting ourselves in the foot - the album will not be available on the usual corporate platforms. We believe that music crafted independently with care, passion and integrity deserves to be made available in a way that helps keep these values intact. Argonaut Forever will only be released as a hand finished CD limited to 100 numbered copies and only available through Keymailorder!

Label Review. 

2019 album. Bluegrass.

Our Overview. 

Netherlands based bluegrass quintet The Oldtime Stringband are back after a hiatus of three years and we’re absolutely delighted to share their fabulous new album - their self-published and 4th release - ‘Pretty Little Horses’ the follow up to 2016’s ‘Cat’s Got The Measles’, encompassing tracks that are positively bursting with toe tappin’, old-time fiddlin’ tunes guaranteed to put a jig in your step, a smile on your face and a twang in your heart!

‘Pretty Little Horses’ is a dynamic album of full of modern bluegrass and tracks well-rooted in traditions or as the band puts it “proves that The Oldtime Stringband does what they like to do”. Whether they’re staples of the bluegrass repertoire, resurrected rarities or original penned songs, what each has in common is an incomparable authenticity, delivered by musicians with close harmonies, combined with gorgeous acoustic instrumentation which results in music that is warm, honest and captivating. The album was recorded in the studio of the renowned dutch singer songwriter Tim Knol, who owns a studio in the heart of his hometown Hoorn. Tim also took the helm for the sound engineering and album production.

The 8 track album kicks off with the old Appalachian tune “Cluck Ol Hen”, first recorded by Fiddlin’ John Carson, in 1923, sung here with the appropriate whooping by Shelly O’Day (Guitar, autoharp). They follow through and have some fun with Ruud Spil (Banjo) singing “Old Yellow Dog”, a tune which is known to have been used (with different lyrics) as a campaign song for Abraham Lincoln. The album’s title track “All The Pretty Little Horses” is an old American lullaby which is beautifully sung by Shelly and Lidewij de Vries (Fiddle). Following the instrumental tune ‘White Face, written by violin maker Joe Thrift, Lidewij steps up to sing the Papa Charlie Jackson song “Your Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine”, recently covered by Carolina Chocolate Drops. Double bassman Nico Druijf tackles “Old Man At The Mill” which was first covered by The Dillards in 1963 (Doug Dillard would go on to record two albums with Gene Clark). “I Truly Understand”, another traditional - best known as covered by Jerry Garcia - is sung by Ruud. The album wraps up with a gorgeous rendition of “Long Black Veil”, originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell but later covered by a long list of artists from the likes of Johnny Cash, The Band, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Cave, and many more, sung with delicacy by Shelly and Nico.

The Band (originally a sextet) got together in 2011 specifically to provide musical accompaniment to a documentary about the Dutch cow-painter Ruud Spil. Both the musicians and the audience enjoyed it so much that the band started what they called “a stampede of interest”, resulting in the collective self-producing their first album ‘Gotta Quit Kickin’ My Dog Around’ 2012. Since forming the group: current line up - Shelly O’Day: Guitar, autoharp, Cajun-triangle. Ton Knol: Guitar, mandolin. Ruud Spil: Banjo. Lidewij de Vries: Fiddle. Nico Druijf: Upright bass, singing saw - have performed extensively in the Netherlands and toured in America and Europe. So be sure to see them live if you get the chance you will not be disappointed as they’re a treat for Bluegrass fans old and new.

Also available on CD from The Oldtime Stringband: 'Chicken Crows For Day' (2014).

Label Review. 

This beautiful Picture Disc is a limited edition. 'Being Frank - The Chris Sievey Story' is a movie that’s been years in the making. Director Steve Sullivan has crafted a stunning and honest account of both Chris and Frank that is most definitely not bobbins. Filmed in collaboration with Sievey’s closest friends and family, the film features previously unseen footage, unheard performances and lost tracks, the best of which you get to hear on this album. Also available on CD. 

The film is also available on DVD and Blu-ray. 

Our Overview. 

Frank Sidebottom was one of a kind, a surrealist, a performance artist, a grown man in his 30s whose mum didn’t know he was a pop star. Appearing on kids TV shows, in comics, in front of drunken audiences, Frank (who some said had a papier-mâché head, although I never bought that story) was a legend. His takes on Queen, Kylie and The Fall are incredible in their depth, breadth and silliness. His onstage battles with his cardboard sidekick Little Frank would have Freud reaching for his Ventalin. The whole act was joyous, bizarre and very, VERY funny.

Frank was the alter ego of frustrated pop star Chris Sievey. Chris was a poet, musician and leader of cult group The Freshies. The band sniffed the faint aroma of chart success once with their indie classic ‘I’m In Love With The Girl On The Manchester Megastore Check Out Desk’. It’s the greatest pop hit that never was. In an attempt to sell more Freshies records, Chris gave birth to Frank (which I imagine would be tricky with a head that size) and Frank went on to take over the world. Well, Timperley at least.

You don’t have to be a fan of Chris or Frank to enjoy this movie and soundtrack. You just have to be interested in the odd, the loner, the creative, the outsider. This is a beautiful film and a wonderful soundtrack.

Side One 

1. Cello Man – Chris Sievey (3:02) 

2. Gogglebubbleland - Martin & Chris (2:22) 

3. Reflections And Dialogue With Mr Sievey – Chris Sievey (3:28) 

4. Slump – The Bees Knees (1:53) 

5. Paula My Love – Chris Sievey’s Pyjama Band (4:34) 

6. Self-Copyright Message – Chris Sievey (1:15) 

7. No Money - The Freshies (3:57) 

8. I’m In Love With The Girl On The Manchester (BLEEP) Megastore Checkout Desk – The Freshies (2:47) 

9. Off Key Siren – Chris Sievey (2:48) 

Side Two 

1. Fasten Your Seatbelts – The Freshies (3:03) 

2. Timperley Travelogue – Frank Sidebottom (2:16) 

3. Greengrocer On The Corner – The Sidebottom Twins (1:51) 

4. Slip - Chris Sievey (3:18) 

5. Swingbeat Art Print Girl – Chris Sievey (2:26) 

6. Franksworld Theme – Chris Sievey & Frank Sidebottom (0:46) 

7. Magical Timperley Tour (extra keyboard ver.) – Frank Sidebottom (0:54) 

8. Frank Sidebottom’s Proper Telly Show In B&W Theme – Chris Sievey (0:28) 

9. Hey You, Street Artist – Frank Sidebottom (2:26) 

10. Love Will Tear Us Apart – Frank Sidebottom (1:18) 

11. Lazy Rising More Slowly, Where R.U., Oh 'Chele – Chris Sievey (5:12) 

12. Life With The Lyons – The Freshies (2:10)

This is IN STOCK for immediate despatch. 

2008 album from ex-10CC guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer.

Gnome Sweet Gnomes*
It's in the Blood
Friends Like These
Down by the Palace*
Do Not Bend
Millennium Blues*
Viva La Difference
We're Not Alone
Word of the Mouth
Sleep at Night
Can't Get Enough

*These tracks do not feature on Erics' anthology.

Label Overview. 

2010 album with A2 poster and CD insert.

Our Overview. 

This is a title that Hugh came up with – and we all felt it really encapsulated the ethos of the band. By this point, Dave had decided to move to Canada (he only plays on two tracks on the album), so we added a  guitarist that had filled in for Dave a few times – Ben Ash (now playing with death-metal legends CARCASS). Ben added a more metallic sound, which counter-acted well with Dave’s more bluesy tones. We originally recorded two of the tracks here separately – in the legendary Toerag studios, where the White Stripes had been recording. The studio is known for their super-old-school analogue equipment and lo-fi approach to recording. Everything is done on tape, with minimal overdubs and most of the tracks done live in one room – the way most records used to be done in the old days. Once we got used to this approach, we loved it – and went back to record the rest of the album.  My friend Emma Wilson appears on this album, doing backing vocals. She also recorded her own version of ‘Another Mule’ during this session, which was later released as a limited edition 7” vinyl. We were so pleased with the album as a whole, that we felt it deserved to be immortalised forever on vinyl. The album received a rave review from Kerrang! (among others).

Label Review. 

2013 album. London's premier bluegrass outfit with an album of all original songs. 

Our Overview. 

They've been together for over twenty years and this, their third album is their first to feature all homespun numbers. All the band members take lead vocals from Eamonn's tale of a hapless pizza delivery boy or his ode to riding the central line on Tube Trains to fiddle maestro Paul asking you to "Shut Your Face"! You can catch the band at their monthly night, My Grass Is Blue at The Betsey Trotwood in Farringdon, London on the second Thursday of every month.